Nightime jaw clenching / teeth grinding....

I have been seeing more and more patients whom suffer from night time jaw clenching / teeth grinding (called Nocturnal Bruxism).  They are usually unaware that they are grinding their teeth at night, and are surprised when their dental specialist makes them aware of the damage they are doing to the enamel of their teeth.  While no one seems to know the exact cause of the problem or its increased prevalence, rising stress levels seem to be an obvious contributing factor.

Other than stress reduction, what can be done to treat / reduce the effects of clenching your teeth?
 If you have a good extended health plan that will pay for it, by all means talk to your dentist about getting a custom formed 'night guard'.  Prices vary, but they are expensive and I have a somewhat sour experience with one I paid $800 out of pocket for (my dental plan will pay to fix the damage of my grinding, but not for a device that will prevent the damage preemptively????).  Within a year I had worn through parts of it and paid a dental lab more money to repair it.  Contemplating whether or not to shell out for another one, I decided to try a very inexpensive alternative.  It's called the 'Doctors Nightguard' and you can pick one up at any major pharmacy for around $30.  You put it in boiling water and then bite into it to mold to your teeth in effect creating a 'semi custom' night guard for a fraction of the cost.  I've been using mine for over 6 months now with absolutely no problems.  Keep in mind it is a little more 'bulky' than a custom made night guard, but well worth trying before spending lots of money on something that is likely to break anyway.

In addition to protecting your teeth from damage, a night guard relaxes the muscles of the jaw and can reduce tension headaches in some people.

Balms, Creams, Gels, Lotions, Oils and Ointments....

A quick Google search for pictures of 'ointments for sore muscles' came up with some interestingly funny pictures.

In my office, I'm often asked about different 'pain relieving' gels and creams.  Mostly which do I think is best, or do they really work?
The answer is often not exactly what they want to hear ... They do work, sort of.  The ingredients in most products are the same or similar.  Slightly differing concentrations of Menthol, Camphor, and Eucalyptus - sometimes mixed with other compounds such as MSM, glucosamine, etc.

They do work, in that their effect on the skin distracts the brain from the pain and reduce the brains perception of the pain. So if you are looking for something to distract your brain from the pain while the problem heals over time, and with treatment then by all means use whichever product you like.  Just keep in mind the product itself is not ‘curative’ but rather ‘palliative’ in nature.

Recently, a company offered samples to me at no charge to try on my patients.  I’m always open to trying a product offered by a company at no charge because it means that they genuinely believe in their product.  Initial response has been very good and I am leaning towards using the product in my offices.  It’s called ‘Cryoderm’ and if you are interested in trying some, come on into the office and ask for a free sample, while they last.
I like the product because it has a very strong cold sensation that seems to last much longer than similar products, as well as being non greasy and having a milder (less offensive) odor.  
The same company also sent a 'warm' sensation cream called "Thermoderm" and I can't recommend it.  It was definitely 'hot', but felt more like a sunburn than a soothing heat (and it lasted a  long time - more than one day later it was still burning).

Cryoderm Info

Custom Foot Orthotics, Can They Help You?

What do custom foot orthotics do?
Depending on the design, orthotics can cushion and support your foot by redistributing the pressure areas on your feet. They can also be designed to support and improve the alignment of the bones in your feet and legs. Improper foot alignment can lead to a wide variety of foot, knee, and lower back problems.

By improving the alignment the body is able to function more efficiently with less stress on the muscles and ligaments that hold you together. Many different styles and types of orthotics can be designed in order to alleviate various types of pain in the feet, knees, hips and lower back. These can range from soft flexible types to very rigid types. It is important to have your foot and shoes properly evaluated prior to getting orthotics. Beware of companies that provide only one type of orthotic-it may not be right for you.

I Have Flat Feet, Does This Have Anything To Do With Why I Have Lower Back Pain?
Flat feet cause the leg bones to rotate inwards when you are standing and walking. This will affect your hip and pelvic positions, thereby altering the amount of back curvature and leading to pain. Previous injury, activities, and upper body mechanics will also play a role in lower back pain.

Do My High Arch Feet Have Anything To Do With My Knee Pain When I Run?
A high arched foot lacks adequate shock absorption. When there is not enough cushioning at the foot, shock is transmitted upwards, placing added load on the knee and hip joints.

Can I Wear Orthotics With Any Shoes?
Orthotics can be designed for virtually any shoe type but are usually designed with a particular shoe type in mind, depending on your needs, and as such should work well with shoes of similar style. If an orthotic is designed for running shoes, it will not fit properly into a heeled shoe. Sandals also restrict orthotic use, as the orthotic is not secure without a closed shoe.

The bottom line is that if you have any foot pain, or even unresolving knee, hip or low back pain, custom foot orthotics may be the answer to your problem.

If you have extended health insurance, it is likely that the majority of the cost may be covered by your plan.  Check with your employers HR department to find out the exact coverage your insurance provides and in some instances a prescription is required from your family physician.

A biomechanical foot analysis will reveal whether or not you are a candidate for corrective orthotics.  Give my office a call today and setup an appointment to have your feet checked.

 

 

New Study Refutes Glucosamine for Arthritic LBP......

Study

Well here are my thoughts on this:
1) The study was funded by the medical (aka medicinal) community
2) The patient study was very small (250 people) - this is the first thing they (MD's) use to refute studies published by 'Natural' Health-care practitioners.
3) Their outcomes were based on very subjective measures and conclusions may have been reached using 'leading' questionaires.
4) The study is B.S.

While time and further investigation, may show Glucosamine suplementation does not help individuals with advanced lumbar spine arthritis, and resultant low back pain, they may not have ended up with the arthritis in the first place had they started supplementation years prior to the diagnosis.

My previous blog about joint supplementation still stands, and I recommend all of my patients continue supplementing glucosamine along with a healthy diet to slow / prevent early onset arthritis.